M. J. O'Neill's QueerLinks -- Library Document

Heterosexual Privilege

I have Heterosexual Privilege if...

I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my sexuality most of the time.

I can if I wish expose my sexuality as a member of the armed services without fear of dischargement.

If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.

I can be sure I will not be denied the right to marry whomever I choose to.

I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my sexuality widely represented.

When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my sexuality made it what it is.

I can be pretty sure that I can adopt children.

If I want to, I can be pretty sure of finding a publisher for this piece on heterosexual privilege.

I can be sure that children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of my sexuality.

I can be sure I will not be denied insurance, employment or credit due to my sexuality.

I can arrange to protect my children most of the time from people who might not like them.

I do not have closet anxiety.

I can publicly display affection to my loved one without fear of harrassment or attack.

I am honestly portrayed in the media.

I am never asked to speak for all the people of my sexuality.

I can remain oblivious of the culture and customs of homosexuals and bisexuals without feeling in my culture any penalty for such oblivion.

I can remain oblivious to the culture and customs of homosexuals and bisexuals and be congratulated by my culture for such oblivion.

I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to "the person in charge," I will be facing a person of my sexuality.

I needn't hide my sexuality in certain situations for personal safety.

I can leave a nightclub consisting mostly of people of my sexuality knowing I will not get harrassed or attacked for my sexuality.

I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance, or feared.

I can tell my sexuality to someone without fear of negative consequences.

I need not fear financial and emotional truncation from my family simply due to my sexuality.

I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my sexuality will not work against me.

If my day, week, or year is going badly, I need not ask of each negative episode or situation whether it has sexual overtones.

I can be pretty sure postings like this and chalkings will not be removed solely for their content.

Copyright © Ken Hirschmann.
From a recent Usenet post.